WENDELL-Paula Jean Eckardt, MSW, died peacefully early Monday morning, May 4th, 2026, in the warm company of her caregivers. She was born in 1948 and blossomed in the vibrant 60’s which transformed her into a life-long advocate of women’s, democratic, and especially environmental rights. She left many lives touched as she went and many cherished her steps, especially her family and friends. Her life was sometimes bittersweet, just as she liked her chocolate, “Well something's lost, but something's gained in living every day”.

Paula was born to A. Roy Eckardt and Alice Lyons Eckardt and grew up in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. She lived and attended school in Cambridge, England when she was 14 and 15. After and between studies at Oberlin College, Temple University, Antioch College and Bryn Mawr College, she worked at the Satinsky Institute for Human Resource Development in Philadelphia and then for Rensselaer County in New York, and helped multitudes of people who crossed her therapeutic door through the years.

Married to Kenneth Strock for many years and having a son with him, she was briefly married to Miles Hahrer and owned and operated an organic restaurant called “Mr. Natural" along with other friends in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Known for her sense of humor and kindness as well as her sober assertiveness, Paula played both piano and guitar. She will be missed by the many people whose lives she enriched.

She leaves behind a son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Nitya Eisenheim, and their daughter, Eliana (who loved to draw with her), as well as her brother Stephen Eckardt and his children, Elizabeth, Stephanie and Devlin.

The family will receive friends at the AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton on Sunday, May 17, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. with a Memorial service to follow at 1:30 P.M. at the Funeral home. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Women for Sobriety or the Wildlife Conservation Network.